British Gas to offer smart meter users free electricity on Saturdays

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British Gas has unveiled plans to offer some of its customers free electricity on Saturdays.

The move to cut down energy use at peak times in the week will only be available to its one million smart meter users however.

If the plan is confirmed, it would be similar to British Gas parent company, Centrica's, Free Power Saturday scheme in its Direct Energy operations in Texas and the north-east of the United States.

A spokesman for Centrica said: "Our North American business offers a product for those customers in Texas who have a smart meter.

"We are looking to see whether we can introduce it into the UK for customers with a smart meter.

"Once we have trailed it, if it works then we could potentially offer it as a product for customers from the middle of next year."

The news comes soon after the 'Big Six' energy supplier announced first half profits of more than £356m and warned a future rise in energy bills was very likely come next winter.

British Gas is part of the government's Green Deal initiative.

As such, it offers energy customers who wish to participate in the scheme the opportunity to take out a loan or even receive cashback on a number of energy improving measures in their home. This includes everything from upgrading an existing boiler, to fitting new wall or loft insulation.